White House uses LinkedIn as a health care focus group

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/27/art.linkedin0726.linkedin.jpg caption=" CEA Chair Christina Romer asks small business owners for feedback on social networking site LinkedIn."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The White House seems to be giving all social networks an equal opportunity. During President Obama's weekly address (on YouTube and promoted on Twitter) he asked small business professionals to weigh into the health insurance reform debate on LinkedIn, a "professional" social network.

In a section on the site designated to celebrities asking questions and receiving answers from those participating, Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Chair Christina Romer is asking what experiences people involved in small businesses have with health care. Responses will also be collected through WhiteHouse.gov and Romer will be discussing some of the responses in a live video discussion on Wednesday.

Over 43 million people participate in LinkedIn, including 12 million who own or work at a small business. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner told the CNN Political Ticker in an e-mail, "This outreach was not only a smart way of conducting a focus group, it's the most effective way to reach out and engage with the small business community on a large scale."

This is the first time the White House has used LinkedIn to gather information.  Both Obama and McCain used LinkedIn as focus groups during the presidential campaign.